117 I have signed the map. I agree to it and am prepared to always do my best.” 17 In Sheikh Sultan’s approval to grant the R.A.F land for additional constructions as well as the signed map, there was no reference to the English renting out newly constructed buildings to the Americans. In early May 1944, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, left to India in a special visit, and deputized his brother Sheikh Muhammad bin Saqr al-Qasimi to run the affairs of Sharjah. On 18 May 1944, the British Political Agent, Bahrain, arrived at Sharjah to find that its ruler had left, and his brother, Sheikh Muhammad bin Saqr acting on his behalf. In the evening of that day Sheikh Muhammad bin Saqr visited the Political Agent, Bahrain, in the Agency House. He was accompanied by the following Sheikhs who were his guests at the time: Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan al-Nu’aimi, Chief Sheikh of Danak; Sheikh Rashed bin Hamad al-Shamsi, Chief Sheikh of Al Bu Shammis, from al-Buraimi; Sheikh Muhammad bin Ali bin Huwaidin, Chief Sheikh of the tribe of BanuQitab.18 The Political Agent in Bahrain mentioned that visit in a letter he sent to the Political Resident in Bushire dated 14 May 1944. He said that an enjoyable conversation regarding local policies and supplies had taken place with the four Sheikhs who had been in good spirits. He added that the visit lasted for almost an hour and was very friendly.19 In the mid May 1944, an American task force corps of engineers arrived in Sharjah to begin constructing a training centre to the east of the British base in Sharjah for the U.S. Army. Sheikh Muhammad bin Saqr al-Qasimi was unable to act in any way, for fear that there might have been an approval given by his brother for the Americans to come to Sharjah. My father, Sheikh Muhammad bin Saqr al-Qasimi, was the Deputy to his brother the Ruler of Sharjah, who was in India at the time. As his brother’s 17 Ibid. 18 I.O.R./L.P.&S/12/3838, EXT.2238/1945. 19 Ibid. AMERICANS IN SHARJAH
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